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Message from the CAO
MESSAGE MESSAGE
FROM THE CAO FROM THE CAO
It is bittersweet for me to realize that the 2021 Annual Report provides a wrap-up of what will be It is bittersweet for me to realize that the 2021 Annual Report provides a wrap-up of what will be my final full year as Chief Administrative Officer of the CSRD. With my retirement on the horizon for my final full year as Chief Administrative Officer of the CSRD. With my retirement on the horizon for April 2022, I have numerous reasons to look back at my 13 years of service to this regional district April 2022, I have numerous reasons to look back at my 13 years of service to this regional district with pride. with pride. There have been many new infrastructure and service projects undertaken during my tenure, There have been many new infrastructure and service projects undertaken during my tenure, including the development of the new administrative office complex and securing the future of the including the development of the new administrative office complex and securing the future of the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail for public recreational use. However, nothing has made me Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail for public recreational use. However, nothing has made me prouder than my work assembling the CSRD’s team of highly qualified workers. prouder than my work assembling the CSRD’s team of highly qualified workers. The circumstances of 2021, including the continued effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and a The circumstances of 2021, including the continued effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and a particularly challenging wildfire season in the Shuswap, required our organization to be adaptable particularly challenging wildfire season in the Shuswap, required our organization to be adaptable and innovative. and innovative. Sometimes, this meant the adjustment of project timelines and the need for new policies and Sometimes, this meant the adjustment of project timelines and the need for new policies and procedures. It required leadership and tough decisions. It has also, however, created an opportunity procedures. It required leadership and tough decisions. It has also, however, created an opportunity for us to look at our organization with an eye for improvement. for us to look at our organization with an eye for improvement. I am very proud of the CSRD’s continued resilience in the face of these challenging situations. I am very proud of the CSRD’s continued resilience in the face of these challenging situations. There can be no doubt the CSRD has served the citizens of the region with efficiency, integrity, There can be no doubt the CSRD has served the citizens of the region with efficiency, integrity, and empathy. and empathy. While it would be impossible to mention all the work done over the past year to maintain While it would be impossible to mention all the work done over the past year to maintain services and advance new projects, this Annual Report provides an opportunity to highlight services and advance new projects, this Annual Report provides an opportunity to highlight the organization’s efforts. the organization’s efforts. This report should build the public’s confidence in our ability to respond to natural disasters, our This report should build the public’s confidence in our ability to respond to natural disasters, our commitment to sustainable land-use planning, and our transparent management of our assets and commitment to sustainable land-use planning, and our transparent management of our assets and finances. We continue our commitment to fostering engaged communities and informed residents. finances. We continue our commitment to fostering engaged communities and informed residents. We nurtured and enhanced relationships with neighbouring local governments and First Nations. We nurtured and enhanced relationships with neighbouring local governments and First Nations. I wish to thank the CSRD Board of Directors and staff for their tremendous efforts in 2021. I am thrilled I wish to thank the CSRD Board of Directors and staff for their tremendous efforts in 2021. I am thrilled by the dedication we have displayed, despite the significant and highly unusual challenges. I am by the dedication we have displayed, despite the significant and highly unusual challenges. I am grateful beyond measure for the support, knowledge and professionalism of all staff, especially the grateful beyond measure for the support, knowledge and professionalism of all staff, especially the Senior Management Team. Senior Management Team. I will leave the CSRD in 2022 with tremendous confidence in the future success of this organization. I will leave the CSRD in 2022 with tremendous confidence in the future success of this organization. Sincerely, Sincerely,
